Mobile communication device having music player navigation function and method of operation thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a mobile communication device including a music player and a method of its operation. In order to improve the usability and to speed the controlling of the implemented music player, a advantageous keyboard layout including a multiple switch is provided. The multiple switch is dedicated to control device applications as well as the music player. Therefore, a mode selector is additionally included to switch the into different input mode allowing to input commands by the multiple switch dedicated to the device applications or the music player, respectively, corresponding to the selected input mode. Additionally, the coloring of the symbol printing on the multiple switch and the mode selector is adapted to the key assignments corresponding to the different input mode to height the visible differentiation from the balance of the keyboard and to lead a user operating the multiple switch.

The present invention relates to a mobile communication device and, inparticular, to an advantageous controlling of a digital audio playerimplemented in the mobile communication device independent of thecurrent operation mode of the mobile communication device by using amultiple switch operable with a mode switch having different inputmodes.

The number of applications and device functions provided by mobilephones to the users increases rapidly with each generation. Theincreasing number of applications and device functions result from theincreasing capabilities of the hardware implemented in the mobile phonesand the demand of the user. Of course, an increasing number of deviceapplications and device functions will also result in a more complex andmore sophisticated handling of the total mobile phone operation.

An appropriate design of the mobile phones is a great challenge to themobile phone manufacturer, since partially contradictory requirementshave to be fulfilled. On the one hand, the applications and devicefunctions shall be accessed fast and in an easily understandable way. Onthe other hand, the number of input means, especially the number ofkeys, is limited in order to realize a mobile phone design of small sizeand low weight which is adapted to not confuse users with a high numberof keys which have to be remembered for using certain device functionsand applications. So an easy and preferably self explaining operabilityhas to be ensured.

A digital music player implemented in the mobile phone is currentlyscheduled for advanced mobile phones of the state of the art. An easy,simple and fast control of the digital music player is important for theusability of such an improved mobile phone. Additionally thereproduction of music involves the use of headphones or the headset ofthe mobile phone also used for the reproduction of the speech of atelephone call. Especially, when a receiving telephone call is indicatedto the user, the starting function and the stopping function of thedigital music player has to be accessed fast and easily by a user.

Usually, the device applications and device functions are operable by auser with a user interface. Such a user interface presents a graphicaland/or text based menu conventionally hierarchically structured to auser. The user has to navigate through the menu by selecting adaptedinput means, i.e. navigation keys, to track down certain menu itemsdedicated to a required device function or application control e.g. totrigger a certain operation. The tracking of a menu requires time and incase of a complex menu including a great number of individual items insome cases the required time is exceeding acceptable limits or willbother the user.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communicationdevice having a multiple input switch which allows a user to control thedevice applications and device functions in addition to the functions ofa digital music player implemented in the mobile communication device asa device application of the mobile communication device. Therefore, themultiple input switch of the mobile communication device may be operatedin combination with an input mode selector which allows the operationwithin at least two different input modes. A coloring of the printing onthe multiple input switch and mode selector indicates the functionalitycaused by them and heightens the visual differentiation from furtherkeys and input switches.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method forcontrolling functions of a digital music player implemented in themobile communication device. The method according to an embodiment ofthe invention is dedicated to a key and switch controller of the mobilecommunication device.

The objects of the invention are attained by a method, an apparatus anda computer program which are characterized by what is claimed in theaccompanying independent claims. Further embodiments of the inventionare the subject of the corresponding dependent claims.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a mobile communicationdevice is provided. The mobile communication device comprises aplurality of device applications comprising a digital music player. Thedevice applications represent the functions of the mobile communicationdevice. Further, the mobile communication device has a mode selector anda multiple input switch. The mode selector is operable by a user andallows to switch an input mode into a first and into a second mode. Theinput mode can be an input flag having two flag states representing thefirst and second mode. The multiple input switch is operable by a userand allows to input a plurality of switch signals. A controllerpreferably embedded in the mobile communication device is connected tothe mode selector and the multiple input switch. The controller receivessignals from the connected key and switch and generates respectivecommands which are subsequently transmitted to one of the implementeddevice applications. The plurality of commands generated by thecontroller on an operation of the key and/or switch are distinguishedinto a first and a second set of commands. The first set of commands areoperable with the input mode in the first mode and the second set ofcommands are operable with the input mode in the second mode. Deviceapplications are controlled by the first set of commands correspondingto the first input mode and a selection of music player functions arecontrolled by the second set of commands corresponding to the secondinput mode.

The mobile communication device and the method according to theinvention provide several advantages to the user as well as to themanufacturer of such a mobile communication device. The number of keysand switches is reduced in comparison with dedicated keys and switches.This results in an economic production of the mobile communicationdevice due to the reduced number of keys and switches and an improvedusability for the user, i.e. the assignment of the multiple switch iseasily understood.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second set of commandscorresponding to the second input mode comprises a selection of controlfunctions relating to the digital music player. The second set includesat least one of the functions that comprises a starting and a stoppingfunction relating to the music reproduction, a skipping forward andskipping backward function relating to the skipping in-between thesequence of pieces of music being arranged in a predetermined sequence,and a fast forward and fast backward winding function relating to thefast scanning forward or backward of the actually reproduced piece ofmusic.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the fast forward windingfunction of the reproduced piece of music and the fast backward windingfunction of the reproduced piece of music are activated by pressing andholding the multiple input switch (NK0, NK1, NK2,100) in the input modebeing in the second mode for a certain (longer) period of time. The fastbackward winding and the fast forward winding is active during thedepressing of the multiple input switch causing one of these functions.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the skipping forwardfunction to a subsequent piece of music and the skipping backwardfunction to a preceding piece of music are activated by pressing andreleasing the multiple input switch (NK0, NK1, NK2,100) with the inputmode being in the second mode for a certain (shorter) period of time.The short period of time shall be understood as a short pressing andreleasing of the multiple input switch, at least short in comparisonwith the above described long period of time.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the multiple input switchhas at least four switching positions which allow a user to enter atleast four different user inputs in combination with each of the twoinput modes. The at least four switching positions are distinguishedbetween a first set of switching positions and a second set of switchingpositions. Each position of the each set of switching positions isarranged opposite to each other. An operation of the multiple inputswitch in one position of the first set and the second set of switchingpositions causes a command comprised in the second set of commandsassociated to the second input mode. An operation of the multiple inputswitch in one position of the first set of switching positions causes acommand comprised in the first set of commands associated to the firstinput mode, wherein the first set of commands comprises at least a setof browsing functions to control a user interface.

According to an embodiment of the invention, switching positions of thefirst set of switching positions are aligned. The switching positions ofthe second set of switching positions are aligned. The alignment linesof the first set of switching positions and of the second set ofswitching positions are substantially perpendicular to each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a third set of commands isprovided and operable with the input mode in the first mode as well asin the second mode. This third set of commands is employed to control afurther selection of music player functions advantageously differentfrom the selection of music player functions.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the multiple input switchhas at least four switching positions corresponding to four user inputs.The at least four switching positions are distinguished between a firstset of switching positions and a second set of switching positions. Eachposition of the each set of switching positions is arranged opposite toeach other. An operation of the multiple input switch in one position ofthe first set of switching positions causes a command comprised in thefirst set of commands associated to the input mode being in the firstmode. An operation of the multiple input switch in one position of thefirst set of switching positions causes a command comprised in thesecond set of commands associated to the input mode being in the secondmode. Further, an operation of the multiple input switch in one positionof the second set of switching positions causes a command comprised inthe third set of commands.

According to an embodiment of the invention, switching positions of thefirst set of switching positions are aligned. The switching positions ofthe second set of switching positions are aligned. The alignment linesof the first set of switching positions and of the second set ofswitching positions are substantially perpendicular to each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the music player is adaptedto reproduce a plurality of pieces of music arranged in a pre-determinedsequence. The second set of commands relates to a starting function anda stopping function of the music reproduction. Advantageously, thestopping function is a halting function or an interrupting function,whereas the starting function is a resuming function, i.e. a resuming ofthe music reproduction at a certain reproduction position e.g. at areproduction position defined by a previous halting function.

The third set of commands is associated with a skipping forward functionand a skipping backward function. The forward function causes a skippingof the music reproduction to the beginning of the subsequent piece ofmusic in the sequence of the plurality of pieces of music or causes afast forward scanning of the actually reproduced piece of music. Thebackward function causes a skipping of the music reproduction to thebeginning of the current reproduced piece of music or leads to askipping of the music reproduction to the beginning of a preceding pieceof music in the sequence of the plurality of pieces of music or causes afast backward scanning of the actually reproduced piece of music.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the music player is adaptedto reproduce a plurality of pieces of music arranged in a predeterminedsequence. The second set of commands is associated with a forwardfunction and a backward function and the third set of commands relatesto a starting function and a stopping function of the musicreproduction. The assignment of the music player related functions areexchanged between the second set of commands and the third set ofcommands and causes operation as described above.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the multiple input switchhas symbol printings which represent at least the music player functionsoperable with the multiple input switch. The symbols and the modeselector have substantially a common color in order to indicate thecombined operation of the switch and the key. Preferably, this color isdifferent from the balance of a keyboard or keypad of the mobilecommunication device to increase the visible differentiation betweenthem.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the mode selector isoperable by a user. Preferably, the mode selector is depressed and heldto switch from one of the two input modes to the other, advantageouslyfrom the first mode to the second, i.e. the first mode is active whenthe mode selector is not depressed and the second mode is active duringdepressing of the mode selector.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the mobile communicationdevice comprises a user interface. The user interface offers acontrolling of the device functions to a user employing it. Preferably,such a user interface is a hierarchically structured and textual basedor graphical based user interface, e.g. a menu comprising menu subjectsassociated with certain groups of related device applications,sub-subject menus associated with applications of the group of relatedapplications and further menu items associated with settings,preferences, single applications and the like. The first set of commandsis adapted to provide navigation functions to a user through the userinterface. Advantageously, the navigation functions are browsing forwardand backward through the menu subjects, menu sub-subjects and menu itemswhich are preferably arranged in a pre-determined sequence.Conveniently, the changing of hierarchical levels of the user interfaceis operable by further keys provided by the mobile communication devicefor operating by a user.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the mobile communicationdevice comprises further a display for displaying the user interface.The controller is connected via a display driver with the display forcontrolling.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the user interfacecomprises a music player user interface for controlling the functions ofthe music player. This music player user interface is displayed to auser when the second input mode is active or valid, respectively. Themusic player user interface includes at least user interface items orsub-subjects, respectively, associated to the stating, stopping,skipping forward and skipping backward functions. The music player userinterface can additionally comprise status information about the musicplayer status, such as title of the actual piece of music, present playtime, remaining play time, total number of pieces of music and the like.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the digital music playerincluded in the mobile communication device is operable with the userinterface implemented in the mobile communication device to control theapplications ad functions comprised in and provided by the mobilecommunication device. The dedicated user interface module, i.e. adigital music player user interface contained user interface, in the, ispresented to a user e.g. on selecting a certain user interface item. Incase this digital music player user interface is active and displayedthe the input mode is switched automatically into the second mode whichintends that the multiple input switch is exclusively operable toinitiate music player functions.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for controllingfunctions of a digital music player implemented in a mobilecommunication device is provided. The method comprises the followingoperations. A mode signal is received. The mode signal switches an inputmode into a first mode and into a second mode. Further, an input signalis received. A command is generated. The generation of the command isbased on the received input signal and based on the input mode. Thegenerated command is one of a plurality of commands, wherein theplurality of commands is grouped into a first set of commands and asecond set of commands. The first set of commands is generated incombination with the first input mode whereas the second set of commandsis generated in combination with the second input mode.

In case the above generated command is one command from among the firstset of commands, the generated command is transmitted to one out of theplurality of device applications. The plurality of device applicationscomprise the digital music player. The transmitted commands is tocontrol one of the plurality of device applications or to control thedevice functions represented by the device applications implemented inthe mobile communication device.

In case the above generated command is one command from among the secondset of commands, the generated command is transmitted to the digitalmusic player to control a set of music player functions. The musicplayer functions are represented by the digital music player applicationimplemented in the mobile communication device. Advantageously, the setof music player functions is represented by a group consisting of astarting function and stopping function or by a group consisting of askipping forward function and skipping backward function.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of commandsis grouped into a first set of commands, a second set of commands and athird set of commands. The third set of commands is generated incombination with both the first and the second input mode.

In case the above generated command is one command from among the thirdset of commands, the generated command is transmitted to the digitalmusic player to control another set of music player functions. The musicplayer functions are represented by the digital music player applicationimplemented in the mobile communication device. Advantageously, theother set of music player functions is represented by a group consistingof a skipping forward function and skipping backward function or by agroup consisting of a starting function and stopping function.

The aforementioned operations of the method according to an embodimentof the invention are preferably executed on a controller of the mobilecommunication device coupled to a keyboard providing the necessary inputmeans, i.e. the mode selector and the multiple input switch.

Further, the controller is coupled to an processing unit, e.g. a centralprocessing unit, which is responsible of the execution of the deviceapplications and hence also of the device functions.

The invention will be described in greater detail by the means ofpreferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich

FIG. 1 a shows a top view of a four-way switch having a symbol printingaccording to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 b shows a top view of a four-way switch having a symbol printingaccording to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 c shows a top view of a four-way switch having a symbol printingaccording to a further embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a top view of an improved mobile communication devicehaving a four-way navigation key according to an embodiment of theinvention and

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating components of a mobilecommunication device according to an embodiment of the invention.

The following description relates to mobile communication device and themethod according to embodiments of the invention. Same or equal partsshown in the figures will be referred by the same reference numerals.

The following FIG. 1 a, FIG. 1 b and FIG. 1 c relate to the design ofthe four-way switch and the arrangement of the symbols depicted on thefour-way switch according to embodiments of the invention. Such four-wayswitches are distinguished by operating in anyone of the four positionswhich will be termed as “up”, “down”, “left” and “right” correspondingto the illustrated figurative representation of the four-way switchesshown in FIG. 1 a, FIG. 1 b and FIG. 1 c.

FIG. 1 a shows a top view of a four-way switch NK0 having a symbolprinting according to an embodiment of the invention. The individualsymbols printed on the four-way switch NK0 relate to the functionstriggered by the operation of the respective switching position.

The symbols 101 and 102, i.e. the symbol 101 depicted on the four-wayswitch NK0 represents an upwards arrow and the symbol 102 represents adownwards arrow, relate to the controlling of a user interface providedby the mobile phone to a user. This user interface allows the user toselect and control device functions and applications of the mobilephone. Preferably, the device functions are represented by differentapplications, like phone application, short message service (SMS)application, calendar application, address book application and thelike. Further preferably, the user interface is a textually based menuor a graphically based menu containing advantageously hierarchicallyarranged menu subjects, menu sub-subjects and menu items dedicated topreferences, instructions and control functions of the device functionsand applications implemented in the mobile phone and to be used by theuser.

The symbols 107 and 108 relate to the controlling of the telephonefunction of the mobile phone, i.e. the symbol 108 relates to picking upor answering function, respectively, whereas the symbol 107 relates tohanging up or ringing off function, respectively.

The symbols 103, 104, 105 and 106 relate to the controlling of a digitalaudio player. Preferably, the digital audio player is one of theplurality of applications implemented in the mobile phone and to be usedby the user. The depicted symbols 103, 104, 105 and 106 representconventional symbols used for labeling control keys of audio player. InFIG. 1 a, the symbol 105 relates to the start operation, i.e. thestarting of the reproduction of music by the digital audio player. Thesymbol 106 relates to the stop operation, i.e. the interruption orbreaking off of music reproduction by the digital audio player. Thesymbols 105 and 106 are printed on the four-way switch in the “up” and“down” positions in combination with the symbols 101 and 102 forcontrolling the user interface of the mobile phone.

The pieces of music reproduced by the digital audio player are stored ina dedicated storage component. The individual pieces of music arearranged in a pre-defined sequence. In FIG. 1 a, the symbol 103 relatesto a skipping backward operation in the sequence of stored music songs,i.e. the skipping backward to the beginning of the current reproducedmusic song or to the beginning of the music song preceding in sequence.Correspondingly, the symbol 104 relates to a skipping forward operationin the sequence of stored music songs, i.e. the skipping forward to thebeginning of the music song following in sequence. The symbols 103 and104 are printed on the four-way switch in the “left” and “right”positions in combination with the symbols 108 and 107 for controllingtelephone call functions of the mobile phone.

The designation of the four-way switch NK0 in the “up”, “down”, “left”and “right” position to four different operations initiated uponoperating of each switching position requires a differentiation underwhich circumstances which operation is initiated. Therefore, theoperation of the four-way switch is combined with an additionaloperating mode selector SK2. The mode selector SK2 and all followingmode selectors are illustrated as keys. Of course the mode selector SK2and all following mode selectors can be embodied by a multiple switchoperable to cause multiple inputs, an actuator being actuatable to causemultiple inputs and further switching means operable by a user to enterinputs, wherein one of the multiple inputs is interpreted as a modeselecting input.

By the means of the mode selector SK2 the mobile phone having thefour-way switch NK0 is switched into two different input modes, a firstmode and a second mode. The first and second modes are switched byoperating the mode selector SK2. The switching from the first to thesecond mode can a toggling between the modes each time the mode selectorSK2 is operated, i.e. depressed and released. The switching from thefirst to the second mode can also be performed by depressing and holdingthe mode selector SK2 such that only during the depressing of the modeselector SK2 the second mode is active. In this case the four-way switchNK0 has to be operated during the pressing of the mode selector SK2 toinitiate operations dedicated to the second mode and relating therespective operating position. That is a simultaneous operation of themode selector SK2 and the four-way switch NK0.

In the first operating mode, the operating of four-way switch NK0 in the“up” and “down” switching positions, respectively, initiates theaforementioned controlling of the device functions and applications orthe handling, i.e. controlling and selecting, of the user interface forcontrolling the device functions and applications, respectively. In thesecond operating mode, the operating of four-way switch NK0 in the “up”and “down” switching positions, respectively, initiates theaforementioned controlling of the digital music player or the start andthe stop operations of the digital music player, respectively.

In the first operating mode, the operating of four-way switch NK0 in the“up” and “down” switching positions, respectively, initiates theaforementioned controlling of the telephone call functions. In thesecond operating mode, the operating of the four-way switch NK0 in the“left” and “right” switching positions initiates the aforementionedskipping backward and skipping forward operations of the digital musicplayer.

FIG. 1 b shows a top view of a four-way switch NK1 having a symbolprinting according to an embodiment of the invention. The individualsymbols printed on the four-way switch NK1 relate to the functionstriggered by the operation of the respective switching position.

The symbols 101 and 102, the symbol 101 depicted on the four-way switchNK1 represents an upwards arrow and the symbol 102 represents adownwards arrow, relate to the controlling of a user interface providedby the mobile phone to a user. This user interface allows the user toselect and control device functions and applications of the mobilephone. Preferably, the device functions are represented by differentapplications, like phone application, short message service (SMS)application, calendar application, address book application and thelike. Further preferably, the user interface is a textually based menuor a graphically based menu containing advantageously hierarchicallyarranged menu subjects, menu sub-subjects and menu items dedicated topreferences, instructions and control functions of the device functionsand applications implemented in the mobile phone and to be used by theuser.

The symbols 103, 104, 105 and 106 relate to the controlling of a digitalaudio player. Preferably, the digital audio player is one of theplurality of applications implemented in the mobile phone and to be usedby the user. The depicted symbols 103, 104, 105 and 106 representconventional symbols used for labeling control keys of audio player. InFIG. 1 b, the symbol 105 relates to the start operation, i.e. thestarting of the reproduction of music by the digital audio player. Thesymbol 106 relates to the stop operation, i.e. the interruption orbreaking off of music reproduction by the digital audio player. Thesymbols 105 and 106 are printed on the four-way switch in the “up” and“down” positions in combination with the symbols 101 and 102 forcontrolling the user interface of the mobile phone.

The pieces of music reproduced by the digital audio player are stored ina dedicated storage component. The individual pieces of music arearranged in a pre-defined sequence. In FIG. 1 b, the symbol 103 relatesto a skipping backward operation in the sequence of stored music songs,i.e. the skipping backward to the beginning of the current reproducedmusic song or to the beginning of the music song preceding in sequence.Correspondingly, the symbol 104 relates to a skipping forward operationin the sequence of stored music songs, i.e. the skipping forward to thebeginning of the music song following in sequence. The symbols 103 and104 are printed on the four-way switch in the “left” and “right”positions.

The designation of the four-way switch NK1 in the “up” and “down”position to two different operations initiated upon operating of eachswitching position requires a differentiation under which circumstanceswhich operation is initiated. Therefore, the operation of the four-wayswitch is combined with an additional operating mode selector or a modeselector SK1, respectively. By the means of the mode selector SK1 themobile phone having the four-way switch NK1 is switched into twodifferent input modes, a first mode and a second mode; The first andsecond modes are switched by operating the mode selector SK1. Theswitching from the first to the second mode can a toggling between themodes each time the mode selector SK1 is operated, i.e. depressed andreleased. The switching from the first to the second mode can also beperformed by depressing and holding the mode selector SK1 such that onlyduring the depressing of the mode selector SK1 the second mode isactive. In this case the four-way switch NK1 has to be operated duringthe pressing of the mode selector SK1 to initiate operations dedicatedto the second mode and relating the respective operating position. Thatis a simultaneous operation of the mode selector SK1 and the four-wayswitch NK1.

In the first operating mode, the operating of four-way switch NK1 in the“up” and “down” switching positions, respectively, initiates theaforementioned controlling of the device functions and applications orthe handling, i.e. controlling and selecting, of the user interface forcontrolling the device functions and applications, respectively. In thesecond operating mode, the operating of four-way switch NK1 in the “up”and “down” switching positions, respectively, initiates theaforementioned controlling of the digital music player or the start andthe stop operation of the digital music player, respectively.

The operating of the four-way switch NK1 in the “left” and “right”switching positions initiates the aforementioned skipping backward andskipping forward operations independently from the operating mode, sinceonly one dedicated operation is assigned to the operating of thefour-way switch NK1 in the “left” and “right” switching positions,respectively.

The first and second mode can also be extended to the operating offurther keys of the mobile phone. Exemplary, keys AK1, AK2 and AK3 aredepicted in FIG. 1 b and are used to input characters, here key AK1 isdedicated to character “A”, key AK2 is dedicated to character “B” andkey AK3 is dedicated to character “B”. The depressing of these keys isinterpreted correspondingly during the operation of the mobile phone inthe first mode. In combination with the mode selector SK1, i.e. in thesecond mode, the depressing of these keys is interpreted as an input ofthe symbols printed additionally on the keys, here the symbol “$” on keyAK1, the symbol “&” on key AK2 and the symbol “1” on key AK3.

FIG. 1 c shows a top view of a four-way switch NK2 having a symbolprinting according to a further embodiment of the invention. The symbolsrelating to the controlling of the digital music player andcorrespondingly the operation initiated by operating the four-way switchNK2 in a respective switching position are arranged in a differentmanner. The symbols 105 and 106 for initiating the start operation andstop operation, respectively, are printed on the four-way switch NK2 inthe “left” and “right” switching position, respectively. The symbols 103and 104 for initiating the skipping backward and skipping forwardoperation, respectively, are printed on the four-way switch NK2 in the“up” and “down” switching position, respectively.

Correspondingly in the first operating mode, the operating of four-wayswitch NK2 in the “up” and “down” switching positions, respectively,initiates the aforementioned controlling of the device functions andapplications or the handling, i.e. controlling and selecting, of theuser interface for controlling the device functions and applications,respectively. In the second operating mode, the operating of four-wayswitch NK2 in the “up” and “down” switching positions, respectively,initiates the aforementioned skipping backward and skipping backwardoperation of the digital music player, respectively.

The operating of the four-way switch NK2 in the “left” and “right”switching positions initiates the aforementioned start and stopoperations independently from the operating mode, since only onededicated operation is assigned to the operating of the four-way switchNK2 in the “left” and “right” switching positions, respectively.

The mode selector SK1 shown in FIG. 1 c is operated analogously to themode selector SK1 described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 b.Further, the additional keys AK1, AK2 and AK3 are also operatedanalogously to the keys AK1, AK2 and AK3 described in detail withreference to FIG. 1 b.

The following notice relates to the embodiments of the invention shownin FIG. 1, FIG. 1 b and FIG. 1 c.

Preferably, in order to allow a user to easily recognize the meaning ofthe four-way switch NK0, NK1 or NK2, respectively, i.e. the operationinitiated by operating the four-way switch NK0, NK1 or NK2,respectively, the symbols are colored differently. The symbols 101 and102 (in case of NK0: the symbols 101, 102, 107 and 108) dedicated to thecontrolling of the device functions and applications are coloreddifferently to the symbols 103, 104, 105 and 106 dedicated to thecontrolling of the digital music player, i.e. the color of the symbols103, 104, 105 and 106 heights the visible differentiation from thebalance of further implemented keys.

In case of an embodiment referred to in FIG. 1 a, the mode selector SK2and at least symbols 103, 104, 105 and 106 have the same color in orderto indicate that the music player functions indicated by the symbols103, 104, 105 and 106 are initiated by selecting the four-way switch NK0in combination with the mode selector SK2. The symbols 103, 104, 105 and106 and the mode selector SK2 shown in FIG. 1 a are colored gray.

In case of an embodiment referred to in FIG. 1 b and FIG. 1 c, the modeselector SK1 and at least symbols 103 and 104 of the group of symbols103, 104, 105 and 106 have the same color in order to indicate that theplay and stop operations indicated by the symbols 103 and 104 areinitiated by selecting the four-way switch NK1 or NK2 in the “up” or“down” switching positions, respectively, in combination with the modeselector SK1. The symbols 103, 104, 105 and 106 and the mode selectorSK1 shown in FIG. 1 b and FIG. 1 c are colored gray.

The above described input mode relates to an input mode of the keys,keypad or the keyboard of the mobile phone. Commonly, the mobile phoneis operated in different device operating mode relating to the devicefunctions and applications. The device operating mode can be an idle orstandby mode, respectively, an application specific mode and the like.The application specific mode terms the operating mode during theoperating or executing of a certain device function or application forexample during the making of a call, the reading or writing of a shortmessage and the like as well as the controlling of the digital musicplayer. The input mode can be automatically adjusted to the currentdevice operating mode. Preferably, while the idle mode is active theinput mode is in the first input mode whereas while an applicationspecific mode of the digital music player is active the input mode is inthe second input mode. Hence, the mode selector SK1 or SK2 does not haveto be operated to switch to the second input mode.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of an improved mobile phone having a four-waynavigation key according to an embodiment of the invention. The mobilephone 10 has a QWERTY keyboard divided into two keyboard parts 20 and21, a display 11, additional keyboard keys 23 and 24, a shift key and aspace key, a four-way switch 100 and a mode selector 110. The four-waytoggle key 100 as well as the mode selector 110 are a four-way togglekey or a mode selector, respectively, of the kind described in detailwith reference to FIG. 1 a, FIG. 1 b and FIG. 1 c (four-way toggle keysNK0, NK1 or NK2, mode selectors SK2 or SK1).

Preferably, the display 11 allows to display common status information,a user interface, application specific interfaces and status informationand the like to a user of the mobile phone.

The QWERTY keyboard consisting of the part 20 and the part 21 incombination with the additional keys 22 and 23 is allows a user to inputalphanumeric text. Preferably, the mode selector 110 allows to switchthe input function of the keys to an alternative input function, e.g. toinput numeric characters, permutation marks or special symbols insteadof the depicted characters. The switching of the input function isdescribed in detail with reference to the additional keys AK1, AK2 andAK3 illustrated in FIG. 1 b and FIG. 1 c. Keys may have a multipleassignment which is switched by dedicated input mode selectors whereinthe mode selector 110 may be one of a plurality of mode selectors usedfor switching into multiple input modes corresponding to the multipleassignment of the keys.

Alternatively and with reference to FIG. 1 a, the switching of the inputfunction by operating of mode selector 110 takes exclusively effect tothe input mode being associated to the four-way toggle key 100. Theinput mode selected and switched by means of the mode selector 100 doesnot effect any other keys having multiple assignments.

Advantageously, the operating of the mode selector initiates thedisplaying of digital music player specific information on the display11. Preferably, this displayed specific information is an applicationspecific user interfaces to control the digital music player includinginformation about the current status of the digital music player, e.g.title of the reproduced music song, play time etc.

It shall be noted that the four-way switch is an embodiment of theclaimed multiple input switch which preferably offers the at leastrequired four switching positions. The depicted four-way switch is afour-way navigation switch. An adequate multiple input switch can alsobe a joystick switch offering at least four detectable switchingpositions or a plurality of single switches implemented as a multipleinput switch. Further switching positions of the multiple input switchmay be associated with further control functions.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating components of a mobile phoneaccording to an embodiment of the invention. The depicted componentsinclude a key controller 210, a central processing unit 200, an audiounit 220 having a music player 230, a display driver 230 controlling adisplay 240, a transceiver unit (RX/TX) 270 connected to an antenna 271,an operation storage 260 and an application store 250.

Electrical key signals generated by operating a four-way switch 100 anda mode selector 110 are supplied to a key controller 210 which generatescorresponding logical signals to be processed and handledcorrespondingly by the processing unit 200. Preferably, the keycontroller 210 is supplied with the electrical signals of all keys, e.g.the keys of the part 20 and 21 of the QWERTY keyboard and the keys 22and 23 illustrated in FIG. 2, for generating corresponding commandsrepresenting the assigned key function to be processed and handledcorrespondingly by the processing unit 200.

The processing unit executes the applications of the mobile phonecontained in the application store 250. Preferably, the applications ofapplication store 250 comprises a user interface of the kind describedabove. More preferably, further device functions are represented and/orcontrolled by corresponding function controlling applications. Theoperation storage 260 allows to store operation relevant information.The operation relevant information comprises operating mode informatione.g. information about the input mode and the device operating mode bothdescribed in detail above. The processing unit 200 is connected to theoperation storage 260 to obtain and store such information and theprocessing unit 200 operates in accordance with the stored informationand supplies the information to components of the mobile phone requiringoperation relevant information for operating, e.g. the key controllerdescribed below.

The common status information, a user interface, application specificinterfaces and further status information are displayed via the displaydrier 230 and the display 240 to the user. The display driver 230comprises adequate means for generating graphics, text and symbols onthe display.

The audio unit 220 provides the connectivity to speakers, headphones anda microphone or a headset containing headphones and microphone forreproducing an audio signal and for recording audio signal. Therefore,the audio unit 220 contains at least amplifiers, an analog digitalconvert (ADC) and a digital analog converter (DAC). Further, the digitalmusic player 230 is connected to the audio unit 220 for reproducingpieces of music via the connected headphones or headset, respectively.

Preferably, the operating of the four-way switch 100 as well as theoperating of the mode selector 110 generates two electrical signals, onesignal initiated by the operation of the four-way switch 100 andsignaling the depressed switching position from the valid group ofpositions comprising “up”, “down”, left” or “right”, respectively, andone signal initiated by the operating of the mode selector 110. The keycontroller receives these two signals and advantageously, generates acorresponding command dependent on the operating of the four-way switch100 and the input mode resulting from the operation of the mode selector110. This resulting command is assigned to either the controlling of thedevice functions and applications or the controlling of the userinterface, respectively, and the controlling of digital music player230. That is, the aforementioned operations dedicated to the digitalmusic player 230 are initiated by receiving the corresponding commandsgenerated by the key controller 210 and transmitted via the processingunit 200.

Preferably, in accordance with the method according to an embodiment ofthe invention, the commands are grouped among three different sets ofcommands. The first set of commands being operable in combination withthe first input mode is associated with the controlling of the deviceapplications and device functions or advantageously provide apossibility to navigate through the user interface of the mobile phone.The second set of commands being operable in combination with the secondinput mode is associated with a first set of music player functions andthe third set of commands being operable in combination with the firstand second input mode is associated with a second set of music playerfunctions. The first and the second set of music player functionsincludes at least the functions of the group comprising the start andstop function and the skip forward and backward function.

Advantageously, the digital music player 230 comprises a dedicated musicstorage (not shown) for storing and retrieving pieces of music to bereproduced. Alternatively, the digital music player 230 use a storagecomponent (not shown) of the mobile phone for storing and retrieving.Such a storage component can be a random access memory (RAM) implementedwithin the mobile phone or an externally connected memory module, e.g. aMultiMediaCard.

The digital music player 230, the key controller 210, the audio unit220, the transceiver 270 and the display driver 230 may be constitutedby a data processing component or a hardware circuit which may becomprised by the mobile phone. Further, the digital music player 230,the key controller 210, the display driver 230, the user interface andthe applications may be constituted by a code section for executing onthe mobile phone or the processing unit 200 containing instructions forcarrying out the necessary processing operations. Moreover, the digitalmusic player 230, the key controller 210, the audio unit 220, thetransceiver 270 and the display driver 230 may be constituted by aportion of the mobile phone. Additionally, the digital music player 230,the key controller 210, the audio unit 220, the transceiver 270 and thedisplay driver 230 may be constituted by a hybrid system comprising adata processing component or a hardware circuit and a code section forexecuting on the mobile device containing instructions for carrying outthe necessary processing operations in combination with the dataprocessing component or a hardware circuit.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and functions of various embodiments of the invention, thisdisclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail,especially in matter of the structure and arrangements of parts withinthe principles of the present invention to the full extend indicated bythe broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims areexpressed. For example, the particular elements may vary depending onthe particular application for the mobile communication device and thedigital music player while maintaining substantially the samefunctionality without departing from the scope and the spirit of thepresent invention. Further, although the invention has been illustratedas implemented in circuit block, those skilled in the art will recognizethat the invention may be implemented in any hardware, software orhybrid systems.

1. A mobile communication device, comprising: a plurality of deviceapplications including a digital music player (230); a mode selector(SK1, SK2, 110) for switching an input mode into a first mode and into asecond mode, said mode selector (SK1, SK2, 110) being operable to changemodes in at least one application; a multiple input switch (NK0, NK1,NK2, 100), said switch being operable to receive a user input; and acontroller (210) connected to said multiple input switch (NK0, NK1, NK2,100) and to said mode selector (SK1, SK2, 110), adapted to generatecommands and adapted to transmit said commands to one of the pluralityof device applications; wherein said commands include a first set ofcommands operable with said input mode being in said first mode and asecond set of commands with said input mode being in said second mode;wherein said first set of commands corresponding to said first mode areadapted to control device applications; characterized in that saidsecond set of commands corresponding to said second mode is adapted tocontrol a set of music player functions, wherein said second mode isexclusively dedicated to said controlling of said music player functionsindependent from the current operation mode of said mobile communicationdevice.
 2. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, whereina plurality of pieces of music are arranged in a predetermined sequence,characterized in that said second set of commands comprises commands outof a group comprising: a starting function of the music reproduction; astopping function of the music reproduction; a fast forward windingfunction of the reproduced piece of music; a fast backward windingfunction of the reproduced piece of music; a skipping forward functionto a subsequent piece of music; and a skipping backward function to apreceding piece of music
 3. The mobile communication device according toclaim 2, characterized in that said fast forward winding function of thereproduced piece of music and said fast backward winding function of thereproduced piece of music are activated by pressing and holding saidmultiple input switch (NK0, NK1, NK2, 100) in said input mode being insaid second mode for a certain period of time.
 4. The mobilecommunication device according to claim 2, characterized in that saidskipping forward function to a subsequent piece of music and saidskipping backward function to a preceding of music are activated bypressing and releasing said multiple input switch (NK0, NK1, NK2, 100)in said input mode being in said second mode for a certain period oftime.
 5. The mobile communication device according to claim 2,characterized in that said mode selector (SK1, SK2, 110) is reserved forswitching exclusively said input mode into said first mode and saidsecond mode.
 6. The mobile communication device according to claim 2,characterized in that said multiple input switch has at least fourswitching positions, wherein said at least four switching positionscomprises a first set of switching positions and a second set ofswitching positions, said switching positions of said first set and saidsecond set being arranged opposite to each other; wherein said multipleinput switch operated in one position of said first and/or second set ofswitching positions causes a commands out of said second set of commandscorresponding to said input mode being in second mode; wherein saidmultiple input switch operated in one position of said first set ofswitching positions causes a command out of said second set of commandscomprising at least browsing functions to control a user interface andcorresponding to said input mode being in said first mode.
 7. The mobilecommunication device according claim 6, characterized in that said firstset of switching positions is arranged along a first line and saidsecond set of switching positions is arranged along a second line beingsubstantially perpendicular to said first line.
 8. The mobilecommunication device according to claim 1, characterized in that a thirdset of commands is provided operable with said input mode being in saidfirst or said second mode, said third set of commands being adapted tocontrol a subset of music player functions.
 9. The mobile communicationdevice according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a set ofsymbols printed on said multiple input switch (NK0, NK1, NK2, 100)indicates said music player functions to be controlled and wherein saidset of symbols and said mode selector (SK1, SK2, 110) have substantiallya common color.
 10. The mobile communication device according to claim1, characterized in that said second mode is active during depressingand holding said mode selector (SK1, SK2, 110).
 11. The mobilecommunication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a userinterface being adapted to control said device applications,characterized in that said first set of commands is adapted to provide abrowsing function through said user interface.
 12. The mobilecommunication device according to claim 11, further comprising: adisplay (240) for displaying said user interface to a user, said display(240) being coupled to said controller (210) via a display driver (230).13. The mobile communication device according to claim 12, characterizedin that a music player control user interface is displayed to said userin said second mode.
 14. The mobile communication device according toclaim 12, characterized in that said input mode is automaticallyswitched into said second mode in case a music player control userinterface is displayed.
 15. A method for controlling functions of adigital music player implemented in a mobile communication device,characterized by receiving a mode signal from a mode selector (SK1, SK2,110); switching an input mode into a first mode or into a second mode inaccordance with said received mode signal; receiving an input signalfrom a multiple input switch (NK0, NK1, NK2, 100); generating a commandfrom said received input signal in combination with said input mode,said command being one of a plurality of commands including a first setof commands generated in said first mode and a second set of commandsgenerated in said second mode; and in case said generated command is oneof said first set of commands, transmitting said generated command toone of a plurality of device applications including said digital musicplayer to be controlled in accordance with said generated command;characterized by in case said generated command is one of said secondset of commands, transmitting said generated command to said digitalmusic player to control a set of music player functions; wherein saidsecond mode is exclusively dedicated to said controlling of said musicplayer functions independent from the current operation mode of saidmobile communication device.
 16. The method according to claim 15,characterized in that generating a command from said received inputsignal in combination with said input mode, said command being one of aplurality of commands including a first set of commands generated insaid first mode, a second set of commands generated in said second modeand a third set of commands generated in said first mode and said secondmode; and in case said generated command is one of said third set ofcommands, transmitting said generated command to said digital musicplayer to control another set of music player functions.